Assam Politics & Governance

Assam Cabinet Approves Funding for 100 Schools and Guwahati Hospital

1 January 2026

The Assam Cabinet approved ₹455 crore for constructing 100 schools at its first meeting of 2026. It also granted revised administrative approval of ₹1,201.16 crore for a medical college and an 800-bed general hospital around the Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital and Kalapahar campuses. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decisions after the meeting.

Key Facts

• Mahendra Mohan Choudhury helped establish the Saint Sankaradeva Chair at Punjabi University, Patiala, linking Assamese religious scholarship with a university in Punjab.

Sivasagar Trial Tests Net Fencing to Protect Rabi Crops from Monkeys

1 January 2026

A three-month trial involving 10 farmers in Dikhmukh, Sivasagar, tested plastic net fencing to protect rabi crops from monkeys. Dr Prabal Saikia of the North Lakhimpur Regional Research Station organised it with nature enthusiast Hiren Dutta. Nets mounted on poles six to 10 feet high kept monkeys outside the enclosed fields during the trial. Farmers sought government support for netting and improved seeds.

Key Facts

• The North Lakhimpur Regional Research Centre’s trial was conducted under the ICAR-ANIP programme on vertebrate pest management.

Assam Announces State GST Transfer from Roi Roi Binale to Kalaguru Foundation

1 January 2026

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a ₹2.9 crore transfer to the Kalaguru Foundation, established by Zubeen Garg. The amount represents state GST collected from the film Roi Roi Binale. The transfer was planned for January 2026.

Key Facts

• The film’s title comes from a song on Zubeen Garg’s 1998 album Sobdo.

Assam Announces Eighth Pay Commission

1 January 2026

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced an Eighth Assam Pay Commission, to be chaired by former additional chief secretary Subhash Das. He announced that the new pay policy would apply from 1 January 2026, including to newly appointed employees.

Key Facts

• The Seventh Assam Pay Commission recommended retaining the Sixth Commission’s grade-pay system, with modifications, rather than adopting the central government’s pay matrix.

Assam Announces ₹8,000 Arunodoi Payment for 20 February

1 January 2026

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Arunodoi beneficiaries would receive ₹8,000 together on 20 February. He said there would be no Arunodoi payment in January. The announcement was made during his New Year’s Day interaction.

Key Facts

• Arunodoi’s original 2020 assistance design separately earmarked support for medicines, pulses, sugar, and essential fruits and vegetables.

Hojai Administration Begins Eviction Operation in Jamuna-Mou Dongha Forest

2 January 2026

Hojai district administration began an eviction operation on 2 January in the encroached Jamuna-Mou Dongha forest, using bulldozers and workers. The district commissioner said the operation was divided into five sections and that many families had left after receiving notices. The administration said the drive would continue the following day if it was not completed.

The commissioner also said 152 families had filed petitions in the High Court and that action concerning them would follow the court’s directions.

Key Facts

• Hojai district, formed from three Nagaon tehsils in 2015, was temporarily merged back into Nagaon in December 2022; the Assam Cabinet restored its district status in August 2023.

Assam Launches Monthly Assistance for 620 Udasin Bhakats

2 January 2026

Assam launched monthly assistance of ₹1,500 for 620 udasin bhakats of recognised satras at a ceremony in Dispur on 2 January. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma handed out cheques to launch the programme. Beneficiaries come from Barpeta, Jorhat, Majuli and Kamrup (Metropolitan). The monthly amount is scheduled for deposit into their bank accounts on the 10th.

Key Facts

• A satra’s prayer hall is typically bordered by four rows of residential huts called hati, where bhakats live.
• Satra culture began in the 16th century and expanded rapidly in the 17th, aided first by Koch and later by Ahom royal patronage.

Twenty-Two Music Teachers Appointed in Tea Garden Model Schools

3 January 2026

Twenty-two music teachers were appointed across 54 tea garden model schools in Sonitpur, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia. The Hans Foundation would fund their salaries following a request from the state government. School cultural competitions began on 3 January, with district- and state-level rounds planned. A state-level Sur-Sangam competition was scheduled for 7 February in Guwahati, with five selected contestants to receive training under ...